About this course

Entry requirements

An upper second class honours degree or higher in a relevant subject from a UK university (or an equivalent international qualification), together with two supportive references, at least one of which must be academic. Relevant work experience may also be taken into account. Candidates are expected to have good English language ability and to meet the standard of the IELTS, or equivalent, at a level of 7.0. Read more about English language requirements. If you do not meet language or scholarly requirements it might be possible for you to undertake foundation or pre-sessional programmes that will prepare you for the masters programme. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office on +44 (0) 20 7882 5533 or email admissions@qmul.ac.uk. It is not necessary to have a first degree in geography and we welcome applicants from different backgrounds in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Months of entry

September

Course content

In the wake of the 'global' economic crisis, this innovative new Masters programme offers students the chance to explore alternative future possibilities for international development in theory and practice. Combining cutting-edge thinking on development, economic geography, political economy, labour studies and social change, this exciting programme explores the multiple connections (and disconnections) between countries of the Global North and Global South.

At the heart of this alternative development agenda, students are encouraged to challenge the common use of Western historical experiences and categories as the universal templates against which the rest of the world is measured and found lacking. Instead, students will reconsider the diversity of populations, economies, urban centres, and governance practices in the Global South on their own terms - and in so doing, step outside the conventional lenses of mainstream development theory and the international policies they inform.

Global Development Futures is delivered through intensive small group teaching and close engagement with leading academics in the School of Geography's world-leading Economy, Development and Social Justice research theme.

This programme:

provides students with a detailed understanding of development practices and experiences within different sites and spaces of the Global North and South.

encourages students to examine these realities in light of the contrasts and continuities between the Global North and South and to critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of different theoretical approaches to studying development futures.

provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and experiences through an independent research project and fieldwork as part of their dissertation. This will be supported by research training as well as one-to-one tailored supervision from experienced researchers.

Programme structure (180 credits):

Core module (90 credits):

Dissertation of 22,500 words

Compulsory modules (30 credits):

Geographical Thought and Practice

Re-theorising Development Futures

Option modules (15 credits unless stated):

Researching Development in Practice: Mumbai Unbound (30 credits and includes overseas fieldwork)

Migration and Mobilities

Global Working Lives

Democracy, Rights and Citizenship.

MRes option

An MRes option for Global Development Futures is available as a pre-doctoral training programme. Training modules are taught through the London Social Science Doctoral Training Centre, adding two compulsory 30-credit modules to each programme:

Introduction to Social Science Research: Qualitative Methods

Introduction to Social Science Research: Quantitative Methods

This makes these programmes an approved pathway for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding.